What size dingy?

[njlarry]

We are considering two inflatable floor boats. The West Marine PHP-275 and the PHP-310 for use with our O'Day 34. Mostly just the admiral and me. We cruise the Chesapeake only and will use it mainly for exploring and some trips ashore. When not in use it will be stored in a rack, towed behind or maybe on the foredeck?
They are 9 ft vs 10-2 ft, weight 63 vs 73 lbs and carry 1103 vs 1322 lbs. There is only a $75 difference in cost.
Hp is irrelevant as I have a 2 hp but that can change.
Would love to hear about the experience of others, especially how you store and cruise with it.

 

[fred1diver]

depends on how many people will get to ride the dinghy, for me I'd go with the bigger one

 

[Sailm8]

Do you have a motor or do you plan to row. Dinghies can be a bear to row. Also do you plan to use it areas with oyster or barnacle beds? You might want a RIB or a hard dink if so. For 75 bucks I'd go big. We never complain about too much room in our dink. We have a 10-6 ft RIB

 

[Johnb]

On paper the bigger one is good for 5 people as opposed to 4 for the smaller. Also bigger is rated for 10 HP as opposed to 8. The bigger outboard is going to weigh and cost essentially the same as the smaller. I would go with the bigger.

One question - do you want to be able to plane. If exploring, that could cut a 10 mile round trip from 2 hours to 40 minutes or less for example.

 

[njlarry]

Do not need to plane. 2 hp is fine, can change easily enough later. Man handling, towing, storing (maybe on the bow of 34') etc is biggest concern. Dink will be out of the water, mostly on a rack during the week.

 

[lee oakley]

I am considering a dingy myself but I am thinking more like a 10or12ft aluminum they are not real heavy and also thinking about hanging it of the stern

 

[Benny17441]

Inflatables are more stable and easier to store. An inflatable floor or rollup is just more convenient if you intend to deflate to store it as otherwise one with floor boards will be more rigid for longer.As far as the size will the 10 footer fit comfortably on your foredeck? Towing an inflatable can add a lot of drag. If we are just moving the boat a few miles we will tow it but if we have a long passage ahead we will lift it up to the foredeck. The larger boat could be difference of being able to carry a third person or having to make multiple trips. The 2 HP will do fine to propel either boat; just do not expect they will get on plane and go fast. Get the one that fulfills most of your needs as far as space and convenience of storage.

 

[Head Sail]

I'm happy with the 10 ft RIB with 8hp 2 cycle. Anchorages are not always close to restaurants or where you'd like to go. RIB is great in the PNW since lots of rocky beaches and barnacles. Store on the foredeck of my C34 or tow behind. Usually put the engine on once and leave it on and tow since it weighs about 60lbs. Dinghy can be lifted with a halyard and stored on foredeck.

 

[Gunni]

A 73# boat is easy enough for two people to handle. Especially if you have lifting tackle, or a marina dinghy trailer. Perhaps the best argument for a full inflatable is that you can deflate it and stow it below, or tie it compactly on the deck. For put-putting about a 2HP will be fine. Subtract the weight of the motor from the placarded weight capacity.

 

[njlarry]

FYI, I should have been more clear. The type of boat is not "up for discussion" as there are other posts for that topic. Really trying to stay focused on the size issue only as it relates to use and lifting/storage.

 

[njlarry]

Headsail,

I'm happy with the 10 ft RIB with 8hp 2 cycle. Anchorages are not always close to restaurants or where you'd like to go. RIB is great in the PNW since lots of rocky beaches and barnacles. Store on the foredeck of my C34 or tow behind. Usually put the engine on once and leave it on and tow since it weighs about 60lbs. Dinghy can be lifted with a halyard and stored on foredeck.

can you walk around it when it is on the foredeck?

 

[Head Sail]

Yes. Obviously a little tighter but can easily move to the side.

 

[njlarry]

Thank you all for sharing your experience and thoughts. We found a West Marine with the 9 footer in the showroom and decided on that. It seems plenty big enough for four and a cooler. There is usually only the two of us so lifting and moving was a big priority.
Will report back later in the season.

 

[druid]

Any question on just about any boating forum about "how big" will get you almost all responses of "BIGGER!". It's like sunscreen: everyone feels that bigger (more SPF) is better. 9ft vs 10ft? Why not go 12ft? or 16ft? How big should your next boat be? 33ft? 36ft? 40ft? 45ft?
I usually go against the grain and pick the smaller one. The smaller one would be lighter, less drag towing, easier to put on the foredeck... And if you want to carry more than 4 people, hell, make 2 trips.

druid

 

[Ken13559]

My spec for such gear is usually "..can I manage it alone without any help?" Hence I would go for as large as I can manage which is 9ft or smaller. Same for obm. Nothing bigger than 3hp else it gets too heavy to carry around onboard for me.